Getting a Second Opinion on Cancer Treatment

Why get a second opinion?

It's vital that you trust your healthcare provider. You also need to feel good about your treatment choices. A second opinion can help you make your decision. And you can feel good about it, too.

This is what healthcare providers consider when they plan cancer treatments:

• The type and stage of the cancer

• How likely the cancer can be cured

• How the treatment will affect your daily life

• Your overall health

• Your personal choices

A second healthcare provider can look at all of these things. They can help you be sure of your decisions. A second opinion can:

• Confirm your diagnosis

• Allow you to see a specialist who treats the kind of cancer you have

• Confirm treatment advice. Or offer different choices.

• Help you find a healthcare provider or treatment center you like

• Help you feel sure that the plan you're thinking about is the best for you

Is it hard to get a second opinion?

Many health insurers will pay for a second opinion. Ask your insurance what they will cover. A short delay in treatment won't make a difference in most cases. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are worried about delaying treatment.

Don't worry about hurting your provider's feelings by asking for a second opinion. This is often done when it comes to cancer care. And your provider might be able to advise another expert for you to see.

How to get a second opinion

You have a number of ways to find a healthcare provider who can give a second opinion. These include:

• Your primary care provider. Your provider may be able to refer you to a specialist. This may be a surgeon. Or it may be a medical or radiation oncologist. These healthcare providers often work together at cancer centers and hospitals.

• Your cancer specialist. They may be able to refer you to another specialist.

• NCI Contact Center. This is a service of the National Cancer Institute. They can help you find cancer treatment centers near you. You can contact them at 800-4-CANCER (800-422-6237). Or at their website.

• Commission on Cancer. This is a program from the American College of Surgeons. They approve medical centers and hospitals that provide the best cancer care. You can search for an approved medical center .

• American Medical Association (AMA). This group has an online DoctorFinder service. The AMA also has a directory of the medical groups in each state. This can help you to find providers in your state.

Other good choices for a second opinion include:

• Your health insurance

• A local hospital or medical school

• A local cancer advocacy group

• Other people who have had cancer

• Friends and family

Talk with your healthcare provider to find local resources like these.

It's important that the provider who gives you a second opinion has all the information they need about your health history and the treatment done so far. Ask what information they will need ahead of time. You may need to ask for records from your current facility. Key information includes a medicine list, a summary of any treatments you've had so far, and records from hospital stays. Get results from blood work, imaging tests, and any biopsies. Also ask for pathology reports.

Getting a second opinion can take time and effort. Most people find that it's worth it. It helps you have peace of mind about the next steps in your cancer care.